'An exciting opportunity'

Billy Reid has explained how Graham Potter will demand a new style both in and out of possession as Swansea City target a Championship promotion push in 2018-19.

Reid has been installed as Potter’s assistant boss at the Liberty Stadium having previously worked with him at Ostersund.

And while the Scot acknowledges that Potter wants to play a progressive, passing game, he says the new Swans manager’s approach is not just about what his teams do when they are on the ball.

“The opportunity to take Swansea back to their playing style and make supporters feel excited going into games is an attractive one,” Reid said.

“People think we are possession-based, but out of possession – pressing and working off the ball – is also a big, big thing in our game.

“Coming to a fantastic club like Swansea is a great challenge for us, and that style will be one of the things we look to bring in.”

Reid worked alongside Potter in Sweden for four-and-a-half years.

After a long and successful spell in charge at Hamilton Academical – during which he was once linked with the manager’s job in SA1 – Reid left the Scottish club in the spring of 2013.

Seven months later, he agreed to join Potter’s staff at Ostersund after the pair were put in touch with each other by Roberto Martinez's long-time No. 2 Graeme Jones.

“I had managed Hamilton for seven-and-a-half years and when I left I wanted a change from Scottish football,” Reid explained.

“Graeme Jones told Graham to work with me if he had the chance.

“So Graham invited me over to Sweden and I got a feel for the place. Something felt right so we went for it and the rest is history.

“I found it easy moving from a manager to an assistant.

“I wanted to be involved in the same style that I was used to – a possession-based game on the front foot – and Graham’s team were playing that way.”

Reid, who also managed Clyde before his long stint at Hamilton, brings plenty of experience to the new-look Swans backroom team.

And he says Potter is a manager who will encourage his staff to air their views.

“Graham isn’t the type of manager that keeps me down,” Reid said.

“He allowed me to be myself – that’s why he took me Ostersund.

“It has been an education working under him. In my opinion, he has some fantastic ideas and is a very intelligent football man.